Image by Piotr Rabiej from Pixabay

Fiera remained perfectly still, her buff-colored uniform blending in with the surrounding stone. The darker skin of her face was covered by a mask and goggles, and her cherry hair was completely hidden beneath her helmet.

Beside her, Phelix lay prone on his stomach. He was watching the Core troops through a set of dust-colored binoculars. “Phoenix two to command post,” he said softly into the comm link tucked into his mask.

“Go ahead, Phoenix two,” came the voice of General Rumain Arbery.

“Sir, we’ve got confirmation of what Blue ten reported yesterday,” Phelix said. “At least two units of Core troops are settin’ up on Junna. Looks like they expect to be here for the long haul given the amount of supplies we’re seein’.”

“Phoenix three do you confirm what Phoenix two is seein’?” General Abery asked.

“Yes sir,” Fiera said as she took the binoculars from Phelix. She looked down where the Core troops were setting up. “I count at least two units with supplies enough for a long stay. They’re diggin’ in and fortifyin’ instead of their usual blast and run.”

“Confirmed,” Phelix said before the general could ask. “I saw security pylons goin’ up and there were definite sentry patterns bein’ walked.”

“Confirmed,” Fiera said, following her twin’s lead.

“Report back to Phoenix squad’s last position and wait for further orders,” General Arbery said.

“Yes sir,” the twins said in unison. They slithered out of their hiding spot and all but crawled down the side of the narrow path until they had the protective bulk of the plateau between them and the enemy troops.

“He’s not happy with us, is he?” Phelix asked.

“He hates da and takes it out on us. He got Marc and Keo. Nev’s lucky he’s a medic or he’d have been taken out by this piece of drek,” Fiera said.

Their twinspeak was the only thing that kept them from getting into trouble for badmouthing their commanding officer. Yet Fiera was just voicing openly what others were whispering. Marc would be back on the front lines soon enough, most of his problems having come from oxygen deprivation. Keoni on the other hand was already on his way back to Sorus, his injuries too severe to keep him fighting.

Fiera frowned. This should have all been over a year earlier. Six months maximum had been the forecast for how long the Colonies could hold out against the CAF troops. Yet for some reason, eighteen months after the start of the hostilities, the small guerrilla force from the Colonies was still making a real dent in the technologically superior forces’ troop strength.

“How are you holdin’ up?” Phelix asked as they made their way back to where what was left of their unit was waiting. After this long, there weren’t many members remaining in what had become known as the Phoenix squadron.

“I have a bad feelin’ he’s down there,” Fiera said.

“You’ve had that feelin’ before,” Phelix pointed out.

“Yes, and I was right. I just got lucky in the fact we weren’t the ones shootin’ at him.” Fiera stopped and leaned against the stone. “I want to go home, Flicks.”

“I know, Fury. So do I. But we can’t.” Phelix put a hand on her shoulder.

“Yeah, I know.” She sighed wearily and continued down the narrow track.

The rest of Phoenix squadron greeted them with some relief. “They’re settlin’ in for the long haul?” Adralis asked.

Fiera nodded at the black-haired woman. “Looks like. Might even be some landin’ lights out there so they can get more ships down,” she said.

“Why in the name of all the stars are they droppin’ people here?” Fidel asked.

Phelix shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

“We’re a center point.” Fiera pulled out the small map they had and pulled up the current image of the front lines. “If they can get a supply dump here, they can spread out in these directions, cut off our supply lines here and here, and effectively put an end to this.”

“Think the general will send Blue or Green in to demolish their camp?” Nita asked.

Fiera shook her head. “He’ll send us.”

“There’s not enough of us to pull off a mission like that,” Fidel protested.

“He won’t care,” Phelix said.

“Because you two are here,” Adralis said. “He’ll kill all of us just to get rid of you.”

“He’ll try,” Fiera said. “If it comes down to it, you lot will play backup while Flicks and me go in and lay the explosives. That way if we’re caught you can still get out.”

“Sounds better than dyin’ for you,” Adralis said. She was the newest member of Phoenix squadron and couldn’t accept the fact that Phelix wasn’t throwing himself at her feet like most of the other men had.

Of course, she was also of the mind that there was no such thing as loving those of the same gender expression as you. That was a mind sickness according to her people, and one that was ostensibly cured by forced sex with the opposite gender. Her attitude had caused a lot of issues within the group, especially considering both Fidel and Phelix were out and openly anterosexual.

“That’s not how Phoenix squadron works, Adralis,” Fidel said. “We’re all willin’ to die for each other.”

“Yeah, but why should we die for them when it’s obvious the general hates them for some reason?” Adralis shook her head. “Why do you think our numbers go down and we don’t see any replacements?”

“There are none.” Fiera pulled her helmet off and ran her fingers through her cropped hair. “Or didn’t you realize that.”

“Are we really that bad off, Fury?” Synon asked. He’d been silent until now. He was the quietest member of the unit, often not speaking until prompted.

“I had a word with Blue and Green’s squad commanders when we had that meet up a couple weeks ago. They’re hurtin’ for people too and they haven’t seen a replacement for fallen members in six months. Scuttlebutt is we’ve had mass desertions since General Arbery took over and everyone’s callin’ it quits because he’s more interested in carnage than gettin’ rid of the Core,” Fiera said. She shrugged. “He’s still in charge and we still follow orders.”

“Even if followin’ those orders gets us killed?” Adralis demanded.

“We live or die for the Colonies. That’s the oath we took when we got our uniforms,” Synon said. “You know that as well as the rest of us, Adralis.”

“Phoenix squadron, report.” General Arbery’s voice crackled across all their comms.

“Nothin’s changed since the last report, sir,” Fiera said, pulling her helmet on and responding in the place of commanding officer. She and Phelix were the ranking members of the unit and it was up to them to answer when the general called.

“Are you and Phoenix two back at camp, Phoenix three?” the general asked.

“Yes sir.”

“Your new assignment is to get in there and disrupt the establishment of that base,” General Arbery said. “Cause as much destruction as possible before the retrieval shuttle comes in. You have one last chance at retrieval, Phoenix squadron. Once this shuttle leaves anyone still on Junna is considered a casualty.”

“Understood, sir,” Fiera said. The comm crackled and went silent.

“How does he expect us to take out the base?” Adralis asked.

“He said cause as much damage as possible, not take it out completely,” Fidel said.

“I have the coordinates for the retrieval point. Fury, they’re a good day’s march from here,” Nita said.

“Adralis, Nita, collect the injured and head straight for the retrieval point. Fidel, Synon, Flicks, you’re with me. We’re goin’ to go blow up as much of that camp as we can,” Fiera said.

“I’ll go with you, Fury,” a soft voice said.

Fiera looked over to where a woman lay on her back, face up towards the roof of a natural cave. She sat up, the bandage around her head giving her a lopsided look. “Helene, you’re not in a fit shape to fight,” Fiera said.

“I’m fit enough to lay explosives, if someone can watch my back,” Helen said. “My injuries aren’t life threatenin’ like some.”

“Helene, a head injury is very life threatenin’,” Adralis said.

“I’ve taken worse injuries workin’ the nets back home durin’ a storm. I can manage,” Helene said.

“All right,” Fiera said. “If you feel you can be of some use to the mission, I’ll let you come with us.”

“Thank you, Fury.” Helene got up and rejoined the rest of the group.

The next day Nita and Adralis set out with the injured. The rest shouldered packs and made their way through narrow, twisting canyons that they barely fit through until they came out at the edge of the Dead Zone next to the CAF camp. Fidel tapped Fiera on the arm and pointed to an apparently unmanned security tower.

“I don’t trust it,” Phelix said, seeing where they were looking.

“Binocs,” Fiera said.

Phelix pulled out the binoculars and looked over at it. He scanned it for heat signatures. “Two figures, prone, I’m guessin’ snipers,” he said after a moment.

“Clever,” Fiera said.

“There’s more than one unit stationed here,” Helene said. “I can see at least two different insignias. This is a huge undertakin’.”

“What are we goin’ t’do?” Synon asked.

“Wait for nightfall, and then do what we do best,” Fiera said. “Set the world ablaze.” Phoenix squadron settled itself into hiding positions just inside one of the canyons and rested, silent and watchful, while they waited for the suns to set.

Once full dark had fallen, Fiera led her team out into the night. Their uniforms helped hide them from infrared scanners since they just radiated the general heat of their surroundings, a survival tactic used by game hunters in the Colonies. Fiera guided them across the Dead Zone, avoiding the previously mapped out mines and through a gap in the fence that had yet to be repaired.

Explosives were placed at key points all through the camp and then the unit reunited to sneak out again. Suddenly a warning klaxon sounded.

Phelix, who was listening to Core comm traffic in one ear, grimaced. “They found one of the bombs,” he said.

“Let’s go,” Fiera said. “We’ll blow them as soon as we’re clear of the perimeter.”

They were halfway across the Dead Zone when Phelix shoved her to the side. Fiera watched in horror as something struck his head, blood spraying everywhere. He collapsed, breaths coming in ragged gasps.

“Flicks!” Fiera could only watch as Fidel slapped as many bandages as he could on the wounds without cutting off Phelix’s breathing.

“Fidel, Helene, get him out of here,” Fiera shouted as the alarm sounded in the camp. “Get to the extraction point. Synon, cover me.”

Fiera pulled out the controller for the explosives and punched in the command code that overrode the safety features. She and Synon were still too close to the base otherwise. “Sorry kid,” she said.

“Just blow ‘em, Fury,” Synon said.

Fiera tapped in a final command and pressed a button. Over half the camp went up in flames. The concussive force sent Fiera and Synon back several meters, knocking the wind out of them and leaving them stunned and helpless when the Core troops emerged from the camp. They were captured and dragged in.

“Lieutenant, looks like two of the Colonial rats didn’t run fast enough,” one of the Core soldiers said, shoving Fiera and Synon down in front of an impossibly tall man.

Fiera’s heart sank. She only knew one person in all the CWA who was this tall. She begged the stars for her to be wrong. As the man turned around and she saw the cold grey eyes, what was left of her heart shattered.

Kuen Nakano looked down at the pair of Colony soldiers with the air of someone looking at something beneath him. “Remove their helmets,” he said, the familiar voice sending shivers down Fiera’s spine.

Plasma blades cut through the straps and the protective anonymity of the battle gear was stripped away. Kuen sighed. “Is something wrong, sir?” one of the Core soldiers asked.

“It’s only I hoped never to come across this woman in such a position,” Kuen said. He knelt down so he was eye to eye with Fiera. “I had hoped that fear we both shared, of finding each other in our crosshairs, would never happen.”

“Just shoot me,” Fiera said. “I’d rather be dead than a prisoner of the Core.”

“Since we’re not supposed to take prisoners,” a woman with similar rank markings to Kuen said. “I don’t see why we can’t honor that request. Especially since you’ve caused a lot of damage here tonight, Colonial.”

Fiera smirked. “Good. I’ll take that satisfaction with me when I die.”

Kuen rose to his feet. He walked over and spoke to someone who wore the same symbol as him. The man nodded. A moment later the woman who’d said they weren’t supposed to take prisoners was dead, her head blown off by a point-blank shot from a gun.

All across the Core Worlder camp shouts could be heard along with gunfire. A few minutes later Fiera saw someone limp up to Kuen. “The camp, what’s left of it at least, is ours. We’re tossing bodies into the flames, and we’ve managed to keep things contained to certain areas so we still have enough supplies to finish what we started,” the man said.

“Perfect,” Kuen said. “Your timing couldn’t have served me better, Fiera. I needed a distraction and your attack provided that.” He motioned with one hand. “Let them stand.”

“Sir, they’re still Colonials,” the person holding the gun to Fiera’s head said. “They can’t be trusted.”

“My hypothesis is these two are here to make certain the rest of their unit escapes,” Kuen said. “There is a Colony retrieval shuttle inbound, pulling all remaining troops off of Junna. Or so the order was given by those in power in the Colony’s military. So unless they escape some time tonight they won’t have a choice but to remain here as prisoners.”

“I’d rather be dead,” Synon snapped.

“That can be arranged, Colonial,” one of their guards said.

“Only if we have no other choice. I’d like to see these two released and free to return to their homeworlds,” Kuen said. “Though how I’ll manage that is beyond me at the moment.”

“You’re too nice, Lt. Nakano,” one of the soldiers said.

“Perhaps I am, Ensign,” Kuen said. “However, I have my reasons.”

“Yes sir.” The soldier bent down and removed the bindings on Fiera and Synon.

“What in the name of all the stars are you doin’, Kuen?” Fiera asked, startling Synon.

“Rebelling against the CWA in the only way I know how,” Kuen said. “Using their military against them. I wasn’t joking when I said your timing was impeccable. I needed a distraction so I could take full control of the camp and you provided it for me.”

“Are you really on the side of the Colonies now?” Fiera asked.

“I’ve been working on the side of the Colonies for the past year, though I’ve not been caught,” Kuen said. “It’s a fine line sabotaging your own forces in order to preserve the lives of those who you’re supposed to call your enemies.”

“You didn’t do a good job preservin’ Flicks’ life,” Synon hissed.

“Flicks?” Kuen asked

“My twin brother Phelix. He was the one your snipers shot just before I blew the camp,” Fiera said, her throat closing again. “I ordered two of my people to evac him – and themselves – while I set off the charges.”

“Fiera, I’m so sorry. I didn’t set the snipers. It was the other commander who insisted,” Kuen said.

“How do you two know each other?” Synon asked.

“Remember how I said I had insights into the minds of the Core Worlders no one else did?” Fiera asked dully.

“Yes,” Synon said. “You proved you could anticipate what a lot of the military commanders would do before they did it.”

“I spent seven years in deep cover in the Core,” Fiera said. “I learned a lot of their secrets and sent information back to the Resistance. I also met Kuen, among others, and developed somethin’ of a friendship with him.”

“You actually became friends with a Core Worlder?” Synon asked.

“A few, actually. They’re not all bad. Just like not all Colonists are warmongerin’ morons like my da and the general,” Fiera said.

Synon gaped at her. “You actually like Core Worlders?”

Fiera sighed. “You’ve grown up on propaganda, same as everyone else. I did too. Can’t say I didn’t.”

“But you learned to look past the surface and see what was beneath the lies told by the media,” Kuen said. “As I did.”

“Only after I pounded you into the ground repeatedly,” Fiera said.

“I have to admit I wasn’t expecting the level of expertise from a farmgirl that I encountered when sparring with you,” Kuen said with a small smile.

Fiera struggled to keep her composure. Hitting him, screaming, crying, and shooting everyone all seemed like good ideas. So did grabbing Kuen and kissing him. Clenching her fists and closing her eyes was all she could do.

Synon put a hand on her shoulder. “You’re obviously not caring ‘bout her feelings now. She just lost her twin, prob’ly fer good.”

A familiar feeling hand settled on her other shoulder. “Your compatriot is right. I am being insensitive, Fiera. Sergeant Forbes, I am very glad you found your way back under my command. Would you be so kind as to escort our guests to one of the unused barracks, and then make certain no one goes in to bother them?”

“At once, lieutenant. It’s good to see you again too,” a burly man said. The person named Sergeant Forbes caught Fiera’s arm. He guided her and Synon into a building. He pulled several blankets out of a locker and set them on a bed before leaving them alone.

“What do you want to do, Fury?” Synon asked in their quickspeak.

“We won’t make it to the retrieval boat. We’re as good as dead. We may as well stick around and see what’s goin’ on. Maybe we can get word out to our own side. At the very least we can prob’ly destroy more buildings before we go down,” Fiera said.

“It seems like you and that lieutenant were close,” Synon said.

Fiera groaned and fell onto one of the bunks. “He’s the one who gave me the ring you guys kept teasin’ me about.”

Synon gaped at her. “Wait, he’s the one who wanted to marry you?”

“Yeah. He’s also the one who got me back to the Colonies when I didn’t think I would be able to make it,” Fiera said.

“So he knew you were comin’ home to join the military.” Synon sat down on another bunk.

Fiera propped herself up on her elbows and nodded. “I knew he was going to eventually be recalled to the CAF. We both figured this day was goin’ to come.” She fell back onto the bed. “Not to say we wanted it to. I could’ve gone the whole war without seein’ him again and been very happy.”

“Because now you have to kill a friend,” Synon said.

“If he’s been sabotagin’ his own people for the better part of a year, he’s one of the hidden allies we were told to look for. I don’t know if we can trust him or not. I’m goin’ t’give it a day or two in order t’see how things are run here.”

“Then we’ll try to escape?” Synon asked.

“And go where, Synon? The last evac shuttle will come and go before we could escape, even if we somehow managed t’make it out of here tonight. We’re as good as dead as far as General Arbery’s concerned.” She paused. “Starfire, they’re cedin’ victory to the Core here. Junna’s bein’ abandoned ‘cause of how close to the border it is. They’re pullin’ back deeper into the Colonies t’make another strike on their terms rather than on the CAF’s terms.”

Synon’s eyes widened. “There’s goin’ t’be no rescue for us, no attempt t’bargain fer our release. We’re dead either way.”

“That’s ‘bout the best way t’look at it, Synon. Let’s keep our eyes open and if we get the opportunity, we’ll do even more damage before we’re inevitably gunned down by the Core Worlders,” Fiera said.

“Do you think your friend will actually kill you?” Synon asked.

“Yes. He’s not the type t’delegate somethin’ distasteful t’someone servin’ under him and as much as he hates the idea, he’ll do it if it accomplishes his mission.” Fiera stretched. “That’s how he’s always been.” She saw droplets of blood on her arm and the despair of losing her twin overwhelmed her. She curled in on herself and let loose the storm of grief raging inside.

Fiera didn’t know when she fell asleep. She did wake up when Synon nudged her. “You’ve been out fer six hours. My turn.” Fiera nodded and the young man curled up and was soon asleep.

Fiera laid on the bed and stared up at the bunk above her. The numbness she’d relied on to keep her going all this time was gone. Now she felt every loss, every victory. She mourned all those who’d died in service of the Colonies and the Core, for no one should have been called on to lay down their lives for someone else’s private feud.

That’s what this war boiled down to – the personal vendettas between Eire Rezouac and Michi Nakano. Fiera slammed her head into her pillow repeatedly, mouthing the names she knew of those who’d been lost in the conflict. She stumbled over Phelix’s name because she didn’t know if he was dead or not.

A shot in the head isn’t something you just walk off, that cold, calculating voice in the back of her head reminded her. Fiera didn’t want to think of the kind of damage done, or the possibility that Phelix’s body was left behind because the retrieval pods were for the living. She clung to the vague hope that since he was still breathing when Fidel and Helene carried him off that he was still alive even now.

Fiera kept track of time on the wrist chronometer she wore. Four hours into her destructive self-introspection, the door opened. She reached over and poked Synon, who came awake instantly. The burly man Fiera remembered Kuen calling Sergeant Forbes walked in. He looked at Fiera. “Lieutenant Nakano wants to talk to you,” he said. “I’m supposed to take you to him, and I’m supposed to make sure you get fed.” He said this to Synon. “So long as you don’t give me any trouble, I won’t have to tie you back up.”

“We’ll behave ourselves,” Fiera said.

Sergeant Forbes nodded and gestured for them to follow him. He took Fiera to a large structure. “Just go on through that door. He’s waiting.” Sergeant Forbes then led Synon off towards what looked like a mess tent.

Fiera walked through the door and found herself in what appeared to be Kuen’s private quarters. His back was to her, and it looked like he was attempting to shave off some of the stubble that had collected on his face.

“You look better with a little fuzz. It gives your face character,” Fiera said

Kuen paused when he first heard her voice. “I’m sure it does,” he said. “It itches worse than my hair after just half a day of the work I do though, so I prefer staying clean shaven.”

“Is it also a military thing? I’ve noticed every CAF soldier we’ve seen has no facial hair.” Fiera moved around so she could see him more clearly.

“It is. We’re supposed to maintain a close crop on our hair and shave daily. It would be so much easier if they’d just let us grow out our beards, but we do have appearances to maintain.” This last was said with more than a hint of bitterness.

“You’re an officer in the CAF. I half thought you’d be an uncommonly good soldier but not one of those in a command position.” She leaned up against the wall.

“What about you? Squad leader, unless I misunderstand the way your rank markings work,” Kuen said, finishing up his grooming. He put the razor away and turned to face her.

“I’m only squad commander ‘cause no one else wanted the job after the last three died in battle,” Fiera said. “Phoenix squadron has been one of the hardest hit since we took to the field eighteen months ago.”

“Phoenix squadron?”

Fiera’s half smile was bitter. “Yeah, ‘cause we refused to lay down and die, ‘cause we kept getting’ back up again and comin’ back harder and stronger, we got nicknamed the ‘undyin’ ones.’ Means we got a lot of the hazardous jobs no one else would take.”

“You survived them all,” Kuen pointed out.

“I did. Can’t say the same for my friends and family.”

“Did you lose any family members? I know you’re concerned about your twin,” Kuen said.

“Keo’s been sent home permanently. Marc’s back shootin’ yer pilots down. Flicks…I don’t know. He was still breathin’ when I had the rest of Phoenix squadron evac him so maybe. Nev’s safe ‘cause he’s not a field medic. Rest of my sibs are still back home, last I knew,” Kuen said.

Kuen stared at her even as she drank in the sight of him. He was disheveled, his now clean face the only neat thing about him. Even his close-cropped hair looked uneven and ragged, like someone had done it while only half paying attention. He was covered in scars and there were lines around his eyes and mouth that hadn’t been there before.

“You look like you could use a few good meals, a long soak, and a decent night’s sleep,” Kuen said.

“You look like you need the same.” Fiera could see he wanted something from her. “What is it Kuen?”

“You know I meant what I said before we parted. I fully intended to come to Sorus after the war ended to find you.” There was a tautness in his words that hung in the air between them. “I never wanted to find myself in the position of being the one to decide your fate during the war.”

“Well, you’re in that spot now. Synon and I aren’t goin’ t’let ourselves be taken prisoner by your High Command, so either you’re goin’ t’have t’kill us or we’ll find some way of doin’ as much damage as possible before we get taken out,” Fiera said.

“I thought you’d say something like that. Fiera, what if I told you I had a way you could do a lot of damage to the High Command with your final acts of defiance against the CWA?” Kuen watched her closely.

“I’m listenin’.” Fiera crossed her arms over her chest. Kuen laid out his plans. “This kills you too, you realize. If you survive, they’re goin’ t’know you set them up. They’ll execute you as a traitor.”

“I know. I’m hoping they do, assuming I don’t die in the explosion.” Now the pain was there, as real and deep as her own. “I’ve lost those I have grown to see as friends in this idiocy meant only to oppress a people who just want to be allowed to live life on their own terms.”

“So now you see it my way.” Fiera’s bitterness was obvious.

“I’ve seen it this way since the beginning of the war. It just took me a while to be in a position to do something about it,” Kuen told her. He regained his composure. “Will you help me put an end to this war, Fiera?”

“Give me your word that neither Synon nor I will be taken alive and I’ll agree,” Fiera said. “I’ve fought too long and hard t’avoid becomin’ a trophy for overzealous CAF commanders.

“I will make sure of it,” Kuen said.

“Then I will agree t’help you.” Something passed between them, unspoken but not unheard.

Kuen held out his hand. Fiera took it. He pulled her into a tight hug. She wrapped her arms around him and returned the embrace. It was an all-too-brief reminder that they were still two young human beings who cared for each other in spite of being on different sides of a violent conflict.

“Come,” Kuen said. “You need to eat.” He smiled ruefully. “As do I. We’re down to the least palatable of our rations but they’re still edible.”

“They any better than the dry as old boots peanut butter and jelly sandwich ration packs?” Fiera asked.

Kuen groaned. “Starfire, is that what you’ve been eating?”

Fiera shrugged. “That’s all we had left.”

“Then I suppose the ration packs we have will be a little better.” He held the door open for her and led her down to the mess tent.

Synon was sitting at a table with a handful of other soldiers, apparently deep in conversation. She left Kuen momentarily to check up on him.

Synon grinned at her. “Fury, these guys worked at the machine shop with me on Aruistrides. I never knew they came from the Core.”

“We didn’t know he came from the Colonies,” one of them said. “Strange how people are just people when you don’t focus on where they come from.”

Synon nodded. “Fury’s been tellin’ us that fer a while. Most of us didn’t believe her though.” He ducked his head. “Think I see what you mean now.”

“Good. Enjoy yer meal and catchin’ up with old colleagues,” Fiera said as she returned to Kuen. “Synon is dealin’ with his dislike of bein’ captured well enough fer now. I expect I’ll still have t’deal with some trouble from him. He’s younger than we are and still very much thinks of himself as an immortal teenager.”

“How old is he?” Kuen asked as he passed her a handful of packets and a segmented tray.

“Nineteen,” Fiera said. “He’s been with us for the entirety of the war too.”

“So young,” Kuen said.

“Recruitment started at twenty, then they dropped it to sixteen within a month ‘cause they saw that we just didn’t have the manpower. That’s why so many of my sibs ended up joining.” Fiera opened the packets. “Well, at least it’s not pb and j.”

“I know it’s not much better. We’re at the end of the supply chain right now so we get the remnants no one wants,” Kuen said. “That’s what happens when you irritate the High Command often enough.”

“You think they put you out here as a punishment?” Fiera said, nibbling at the food.

“We know they did. I command the renegades and the rebels, the troublemakers that no one else wants,” Kuen said, gesturing to his unit. “I’ve been able to turn them into a cohesive fighting unit – much to everyone’s surprise – and that worries the High Command.”

“You always were extremely good at doing the jobs no one else wanted,” Fiera said.

“Practice,” Kuen said grimly.

“I know,” Fiera said gently.

They finished eating in silence. Kuen called his people together while Fiera retrieved Synon. Kuen explained the plan, and what the two Colonists would be doing.

“That’s going to get them killed, Lieutenant,” someone said.

“That’s the idea,” Fiera said. “We don’t want to survive t’be taken prisoner by the High Command. The whole war trophy thing doesn’t appeal to us.”

“You’re fine with throwing your life away on a plan that may or may not work?” someone else asked.

“We’ve been doin’ that the entirety of the war. Why not one more time?” Fiera shrugged.

After the meeting Kuen took Fiera around the camp, showing her what his people had done after she set off the explosives – including finding the ones that had been located and disarmed by those not in line with Kuen’s plans. They reached a point above the camp and Fiera sat on a rock.

“I come up here to think sometimes. It gives me a chance for some privacy.” Kuen gestured to where he’d made himself a makeshift office behind a rock. “They all know if I’m not in the camp to look for me up here. They also know not to come up here if it’s not something extremely important.”

“Moments of privacy are very precious,” Fiera agreed. “Mine always came late at night when I was on watch. It was the only time I could be alone to think.”

Fiera turned in time to find herself caught up in another tight embrace. She wrapped her arms around him. Hs heart pounded in her ear as she rested her head against his chest.

“I never wanted to find myself in the position of being your captor, Fiera.” Kuen’s voice was rough with emotion. “Or your executioner.”

“Then don’t screw up yer plan.” Fiera looked up and found her mouth ravaged by a desperate kiss. She closed her eyes and gave herself over to the passion that washed over her.

It was later, when he saw her ID tags, that he reached out and lifted them off her chest. “So this is where the ring ended up,” he said.

Fiera flipped the top of her uniform down. Her phoenix brooch was still pinned inside. “I’ve never taken ‘em off.”

“I was hoping they wouldn’t end up in someone else’s hands,” Kuen said.

Fiera, acting on impulse, pulled the ring and brooch off and gave them back. “Here, I want you t’keep them safe. Just in case you survive and…and I don’t.”

“Fiera, I won’t outlive you by much, if my plan goes as I hope. They aren’t kind to traitors in the Central Worlds. If I don’t die in the initial onslaught, I will be killed for setting up the assassination of the High Command,” Kuen said.

“It will look odd if I’m found with those on my corpse, and the Colonies will wonder if I was a Core spy. I don’t want my family thinkin’ that of me,” Fiera said. “I don’t want ‘em harassed any more than they already are ‘cause of da and his stupidity.”

Fiera hoped he read the sincerity in her expression. As he took the jewels from her, he slipped the ring over his own ID tags and did the same thing she’d done with her phoenix brooch. He kissed her fiercely. “I won’t bring more harm to your family than has already been done to them.”

“Kuen, I might not get another chance t’say this.” He looked at her quizzically. “I-I love you.”

Kuen pulled her in for another hug. “I love you, my phoenix.”

“Sir, we’ve just gotten word. We’ve got two supply shuttles coming in one right after the other.” Sergeant Forbes’ voice crackled over the comm unit.

Kuen frowned. He put his hand up. “We’re not expecting any supply drops.”

“I think it’s a ploy. Ensign Patel overheard something that makes her think they’re dropping more troops and not supplies because word got out that we were hit. They want to be sure the dump’s not held by Colony forces.”

Kuen swore under his breath. “How soon?”

“Within the hour for the first one, the next was still to be determined,” Sergeant Forbes said.

“Do you have any spare uniforms? Fiera asked. “Ones that would fit me and Synon?”

“I think so,” Kuen said.

“Synon could blend in with his former work crew, and if I keep my hair covered I can look like any other heavyworlder. You had multiple units stationed here so there wouldn’t be too many questions, would there?” Fiera asked.

“I can have two uniforms in their approximate sizes set up in about ten minutes,” Sergeant Forbes said through the comm, where he’d heard every word she’d said to Kuen.

“Then do it.” Kuen and Fiera rushed back to the camp.

“Synon, how much do you hate the High Command?” Fiera asked, collaring her squad mate.

“That be serious?” Synon asked.

“Can you fake actin’ like a Core Worlder to get to them? At least, can you pretend you’re part of your old work crew on Aruistrides again?” Fiera asked.

“Prob’ly. Why?” Synon stared at her.

“They’re sendin’ down ships that are s’posed t’be supply runs but scuttlebutt says they’re more soldiers comin’ t’be sure we didn’t take over the camp,” Fiera said.

Synon nodded. “Play up the part of Core soldier until it’s time t’act. I can do that.” He grinned. “I’ll just go join my old work crew in the mechanic pit. I know how t’keep a low profile with ‘em.”

“Good. Not sure where I’ll be stationed, but Kuen’ll find ways of getting us together. Don’t get caught.” Fiera hugged him.

“You either Fury.” Synon slapped her back before going to claim his uniform and join his work crew.

Fiera got her uniform from Sergeant Forbes and went to Kuen. “It looks wrong seeing you in that,” he said.

“I agree, but what else can we do t’hide me? I refuse t’be locked up since that’s a death sentence,” Fiera said, pulling her cap down low over her eyes.

“No, I know this is the only way to ensure your safety – as much as we can – yet I still find it quite distasteful.” His expression reflected his distaste.

“You’re not the only one.” She made a face. “I’m goin’ t’have t’call you Lt. Nakano now.”

Kuen grimaced. “Yes.”

“I’ll think of it like just another contract on Bouarus. This one’s price is higher than what I charged before though,” Fiera said.

“Oh?”

“I’ll be demandin’ blood for this performance,” she said grimly.

“You’ll get your payment, Fiera. I promise you that.”

“Good. So where are you assignin’ me?” She tugged the shirt into some semblance of order and waited.

“Supply with Sergeant Forbes. It’ll put you in the position to see who and what is coming in, and to place explosives as needed without being questioned about being in various areas,” Kuen said.

“Right.” Fiera squeezed his hand before heading off to join the burly supply officer.

The first ship landed and was indeed half troops and half supplies. Kuen greeted the commander of these new troops with some hostility, demanding to know what “fume brained fool” thought sending troops down into a contested area disguised as a supply ship was such a good idea.

The commander glared at Kuen and told him it was a direct order from High Admiral Aceves. “She told us if we came down to find the Colonials we were to shoot first and ask questions later,” the man said.

“She thinks so little of our abilities? Don’t bother answering me on that. Your presence here tells me more than words could,” Kuen said in his coldest tone.

Fiera smirked as she helped unload the crates. She glanced at Sergeant Forbes who gave her a broad wink. Then he frowned. He rubbed his nose. She nodded and took a long sniff. Machine oil, she mouthed. He nodded.

Fiera stumbled and dropped the crate she was carrying. She added just enough force to shatter it. Inside a crate marked food supplies were more than two dozen guns.

“Sir?” Fiera sked, mimicking the Bouarus accent as she’d done so often. “Think there was a mistake in labeling, sir.”

Kuen glanced over. His eyes narrowed. “We’re already on short rations here. You claim to be bringing relief supplies, your presence strains our already limited resources, and you bring weapons? Weapons we have aplenty. Food we don’t.”

“You weren’t supposed to know about the weapons until we were given orders to show you,” the man muttered.

“Machine oil,” Sergeant Forbes said, cracking into another crate and pulling out even more weapons. “It’s a pungent scent and one everyone working in Supply knows.” He cuffed Fiera. “Next time don’t drop the slagging crates, Ensign.”

“Sorry, Sergeant,” Fiera said, cringing like this was a regular occurrence. Sergeant Forbes gave her a faintly approving nod.

“Sergeant Forbes, Ensign Molohaney, are any of these crates actually food?” Kuen asked.

It took Fiera a moment to realize he’d used her false name from back on Bouarus. “Not sure, sir,” Sergeant Forbes said. “Molohaney, quit skydreaming. Get a move on. Break open every crate you see.”

“Yes sir.” Fiera simply slammed her fist into each crate and pried it open. Of the eighty boxes they’d offloaded, only twenty held food. It wasn’t enough to keep everyone now on Junna fed.

Kuen turned and stalked off towards the communications tower, all but dragging the other commanding officer with him. One of the new soldiers reached in to grab a packet of food. Sergeant Forbes laid him flat. “You get fed with the rest of us, and you’ll be lucky to get a quarter ration at this rate. Now, get out of here. Report to Sergeant Dagmar in that building over there. She’ll find a place to put all of you.”

“You don’t get to tell us what to do, Sergeant. We outrank you. We’re specialists,” the man said, getting up and reaching for a food packet again.

Sergeant Forbes grabbed the man’s arm and snapped it with very little trouble. “Sorry boy, but we’re all specialists on Junna. That’s why we’re here. You don’t get more than anyone else.” He shoved him harder this time, sending him careening into the others in the group. “Take your squadmate to Sergeant Dagmar. She’ll point you in the direction of our medics – after she tells you where you lot can bunk down.” The group left, casting sullen looks back at the burly officer.

“Not a good start to their stay here,” Fiera muttered.

“No it’s not. You two are going to have to be extra careful. They’re maggots, but they’re also commandos. Different style of specialists to what Lieutenant Nakano has command of,” Sergeant Forbes said. “Commandos are smarter than your common soldier.”

“I know. I’ve gone up against a few in the past year. They’re good in the field but they’re dumb as rocks when it comes to how to deal with people,” Fiera said.

Sergeant Forbes grinned. “You do know how we work.”

“I had to learn, otherwise I’d be dead. You fight with what you’ve got out here, and when your numbers keep shrinking and no one fills the holes you have to use brains over brawn,” Fiera said.

“Fight smart and you survive. Fight stupid and you die.” Sergeant Forbes patted her on the shoulder. “It’s the plain way of saying something Lt. Nakano’s always telling us.”

“He still repeating passages from ‘Art of War’?” Fiera asked.

“You ever read that book?” Sergeant Forbes asked.

“Several times. It’s what’s kept me alive,” Fiera said.

“You two really are a lot alike,” Sergeant Forbes said with a grin.

“We know. It’s why we get on so well,” Fiera said with a shrug. Sergeant Forbes just laughed and the two finished sorting the supplies. Weapons went into the weapon storage area and the limited food supplies went to the mess.

Synon was moved into barracks with the rest of the mechanic crew. Fiera was in the barracks with the supply team. No one said anything about the unusual addition to their number. Then again, they were all loyal to Kuen so she didn’t expect them to.

Kuen called for her late that evening, long after everyone else should have been asleep. She slipped out of the barracks and made her way up to the area above the camp. As expected, he was pouring over a map and some new information.

“Shouldn’t you be doin’ that in yer actual office?” she asked, coming up behind him.

“I would, but right now I don’t want to be anywhere that idiot can find me,” Kuen growled.

“I take it the conversation with the High Command didn’t go well?” Fiera asked.

Kuen looked up at her. “It went precisely how I expected it to, which is to say they ignored my request for more food and let me know that the next supply ship would have exactly the same ratio of food to weapons. When I told them that they were going to starve out the troops, I was informed to feed the commandos full rations and let the rest of my people stay on quarter rations because, and I quote, ‘the commandos are more important to the completion of the war.’”

“Kuen, did the High Command tell you if they were comin’ here?” Fiera asked.

Kuen shook his head. “They’re not. They fed us that line to see what would happen.”

“Then let’s take out Junna completely.” Kuen stared at her. “Your troops don’t expect t’survive the war any more than you and I do. We can’t let the commandos get a foothold in the Colonies.”

Kuen caught her shoulders in his hands. “Fiera, this could still go very wrong.”

“Kuen.” She pulled away and turned her back towards him. “I never – I never expected t’live beyond the end of the war. I didn’t want to. I knew you promised you’d come for me on Sorus, but you have no idea what that means for a woman of the Colonies.”

“I have an idea now.” Kuen came behind her and again put his hands on her shoulders. “It’s seen as slavery, isn’t it?”

“It is, and with you bein’ who you are – your family name – do you realize how demoralizin’ that would be for my people?” Fiera swallowed hard.

“So you expected to go out in a final blaze of glory, taking as many Core soldiers with you as possible,” Kuen said.

“I was hopin’ t’take out a supply cache or landin’ pad, with minimal casualties ‘cause I don’t want innocents dyin’ for what is essentially a huge feud between yer mother and my father.” She leaned back against him, feeling the warmth of his body against her back. “In the end, you can’t say that’s not what it is when you boil it down to the essential points of this conflict.”

“You’re right,” Kuen agreed. “This whole idiotic war is a quarrel between two exceptionally self-centered people who never got over their resentment towards each other.”

“Da still blames Michi for whatever it is he ran from, and Michi holds da to blame for everythin’ goin’ wrong in her life. That means, by extension, it’s the Core and the Colonies who are at fault ‘cause that’s where the other one lives.” Fiera turned and buried her face in Kuen’s shirt. “I am not goin’ to end up like my da, old and bitter over regrets.”

“And I am not my mother, excited by the prospect of torturing others for my own gain.” Kuen kissed the top of her head. “How are we going to do this?”

The two laid their plans carefully, and the next day they recruited those few who would be needed to help them pull it off. Under the cover of darkness, Synon, Fiera, and two others laid down explosives even more powerful than the ones the Colonists had used to blow the base the first time on the landing strip. Additional explosives were laid in strategic points that would be activated when the others went off. The next supply shuttle would bring an end to the Core’s presence on Junna – and it would end Fiera’s life.

“Are you sure about this, Fury?” Synon asked.

“I am. You can sneak back to Aruistrides, make it home from there,” Fiera said. “I don’t have a choice in this. Not with my family at risk.”

“I’ll make sure to get word back to yer ma, in case no one bothers tellin’ her what happened to you,” Synon said, hugging her.

“Thanks Synon.” She hugged him back and the two separated.

The shuttle was due to arrive around noon. Fiera made sure she was on hand to help unload it, along with a few of the commandos and a couple of Sergeant Forbes’ crew who weren’t in on the plan. She acted like nothing was out of the ordinary. When one of them ran into her, knocking her cap off, she swore at them and pulled it back on.

“The lieutenant’s that particular?” one of the commandos asked.

“Always,” Fiera grumbled. “Has a real problem with redheads for some reason.”

“Has to be tough for you, being in his unit then,” the commando said. Her dusky skin and glossy black hair reminded Fiera of something but she couldn’t place what.

Fiera shrugged. “It’s not easy but I’ve survived this long.”

The shuttle arrived and as it touched down the first of the explosives went off. Fiera was knocked back by the force. As she waited for the next one to go off, something cold and sharp jabbed into her neck. Everything went dark.